This November, voters will weigh in on a local law that would authorize charitable and religious organizations to host “games of chance” — raffles, primarily — in the town of North Elba.

As it turns out, it’s currently against the law to host raffles in the town outside the villages of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. That’s because it’s illegal to host games of chance within any New York municipality that doesn’t have a game-of-chance law in place, according to state law. The villages both have established laws, but the town doesn’t.

Town Supervisor Roby Politi said Tuesday that officials only found out that it was illegal recently, when the local Rotary Club wanted to sell tickets for a raffle outside the village of Lake Placid.

“Technically, it’s illegal,” he said. “I’m sure we’re only the second town in Essex County to (implement a law). They all (host raffles) anyway. Who’s going to stop a church?”

The town board voted on Tuesday to send the proposed law to voters Nov. 5. State law requires the public to authorize this type of local law rather than letting the town board adopt it.

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Rules of the game

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The law would apply to things like “raffles, bell jars, merchandise wheels, coin boards, seal cards and merchandise boards” used to raise money for charities; education, science or health-related causes; churches or synagogues; or “patriotic causes.”

Any organization that wants to host a game of chance for fundraising would need to first obtain a license from the state Gaming Commission, and that license will then be approved or rejected by the town, according to town Clerk Laurie Dudley.

Raffles wouldn’t be allowed within the building of an organization that rents its property if the revenue from the fundraiser would help pay the rent, according to the proposed law.

Games of chance would only be able to be held using supplies from a licensed New York State Racing and Wagering Board supplier or another authorized company.

No one person managing a game can benefit from hosting it.

People under the age of 18 wouldn’t be allowed to participate.

Though games of chance would be allowed on Sundays, Easter Sunday, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are off limits.

Non-compliance would constitute a civil violation, with organizations subject to a fine of anywhere from $25 to $250.